Tastes

Uh oh, sawdust is the first note I got, which led to cardboard. Slight lemon/oranges and floral notes, but nothing else makes me want to try a taste. The palate has some nice honey and vanilla up front but subsided into a clash of hot alcohol (even with time and water) and just other mineral nastiness. Someone that likes a nose full of perfume, with a similar taste might get into this, but it’s just not for me. I HAVE had a nice Fettercairn from Battlehill, so I don’t think it’s an independent issue. The theme of this is going to be “The Lumberjack” by Jackyl. Yeah, I went there. Sorry @Generously_Paul, at least we get to cross it off our list as completed. 1.5.

Wow, this one is something else. The nose brought a big ole blueberry pop tart, jasmine, white wine, confection, and citrusy oranges. Very well balanced so far. On the palate, I got a heaping load of custard, grapes, slight mint, cream and a small amount of mineral. It’s a medium mouth coat and finish, but dry with that ongoing metallic quality. I love the way we started, but not into where we went. The theme needs to be a metal surprise that’s a bit disturbing. I am thinking “I Believe in a Thing Called Love” by The Darkness. Thanks for the try there @PBMichiganWolverine. I give it a 2.5.

The nose brings toffee, honey, vanilla, raisins, apples, and some soft sherry notes. For the palate, the sherry shows itself a bit more. Along flows in some apple strudel, cinnamon, black pepper, and cream. A nice heavy mouth coat, but the finish is a little hot and dry. I do like that some walnuts linger, but not the bitter end. The theme of this dram is “This is Hardcore” by Pulp. Thanks so much @Scott_E! It’s good, but makes your tastebuds go through the wringer a little. A few drops of water helped a lot. 3.5!

On the nose, I got nectarines, tea, tannin, sulfur, apricots, and peaches. The palate is awesome with dark chocolate, raisins, figs, more sulfuric tones, and toffee. The finish is nice and long with more deep fudge notes, but a little dry. I enjoyed it, but is it worth $400? Oh my, not sure, maybe 200+. Thanks so much @PBMichiganWolverine for the opportunity to even try this. The theme of this dram needs to involve expense, so I am thinking "Moneytalks" by AC/DC. A nice 3.75!

Hmm, inaugural releases can be fun. Let’s see here. The nose brought a slight welcoming peat smoke right from the get-go. Leather, tea, vanilla, and subtle pine and lemon notes. The palate adds a nice hit of smoke, along with mint, cream, but fades away quickly. I’ll blame the dry, bitter finish on age, I think. The ABV is nice, but the water didn’t seem to bring any added characteristics. Not great, but not bad either. It’ll be nice to see a 12-15 year at some point. The theme to this dram should be “The Rookie” by The Chainsmokers. 2.75. Thanks so much for he sample @PBMichiganWolverine!

@Scott_E might be the whisky savior of the evening. After having a couple of drams that didn't bring me the flavor, I think we've found one here. The nose has strawberry pop tarts, roses, cinnamon, and light syrup. The palate brings more cinnamon, but balanced well with powered sugar, vanilla, butter, cream, and a nice oily medium mouth coat. The medium finish lets the butter, cream and spices linger on a bit. Not overly complex, but a solid 3.5. The sherry and bourbon casks here are well done. The theme of this dram should be "Caught in the Balance" by Toto.

Wow - this is going to be a rough round of whisky I think for our group. This nose is just missing...vacant. I get the oak, some vanilla, distant light fruit. The palate bring some apples, butter, with a medium mouth coat, but only the alcohol remains. No finish to speak of really, other than some bitterness. As the Stormtroopers say, "Nothing to see here! Move along!!". Welp, let's slap a 2.25 on it. Thanks for getting this one for us @PBMichiganWolverine. The theme should bring more disappointment. Let's say "Never There" by Cake.

Subtle barbecue, TCP/Iodine, vanilla, deep floral notes, sugar and leather appear on the nose. The palate brings on a very refined peaty smoke, ginger, custard, cream, vanilla, and butter. It's a thinner mouthfeel that expected, but it is well aged. The long finish is a nice creosote, tar, rubbery ball of goodness. A reverse campfire with light fruit. Brings to mind "What's the Frequency, Kenneth" by R.E.M. because of the guitar solo. Anyway, you need to take your time with this as @cascode and @ScotchingHard stated (thanks for the tips guys). This is a definite 4.75. So close to the 5, if it was a little oilier, but I am far from bitchin'.

TCP/Iodine, slight smoke, heavy peat, sugar, and pixie stix are on the nose. The palate is a wonderful heavy mouth coat, a ton of smoke, a wave of oily sweetness, and you can actually taste some age in it. The finish is very long and tastes like buttery popcorn. I only wish the cask was a little more present, but that's not much of a complaint. There is some sweetness in there though. 4.5! The theme of this dram is "Butter Wouldn't Melt" by Embrace (UK).

Another great offering from @Generously_Paul, thanks so much. Talisker is one of my favorites, and this doesn't disappoint. 57% ABV! Wooooo! This is a Travel Retail Exclusive, but worth a look. The nose brings barbecued meat, brine, maritime sea shell notes, lemon zest and honey. The palate brings a nice heat up front on the mouth, and thankfully not down the throat. Similar notes lead to the palate, plus more zest, black pepper, smoke and apples. The finish is medium and a decent length as well. This one is very well rounded and a classic, and the theme should be so as well. "In the Mood" by Robert Plant will work. This is a solid 4.5!